title: Leptospira species infection in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease affecting a variety of domestic and wild animals as well as humans worldwide. Leptospirosis has been reported in over 150 mammalian species. It is considered an emerging infectious disease in humans and in dogs. Subclinically infected wild and domestic animals serve as reservoir hosts and are a potential source of infection for incidental hosts and humans.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Reports of leptospirosis in cats are rare, but the importance of cats shedding Leptospira species and serving as a source of infection has recently gained attention. Leptospira species antibodies are commonly present in the feline population, and Leptospira species shedding of cats with outdoor exposure has been demonstrated. Cats mostly become infected through transmission from hunting rodents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of healthy carrier cats as a source of contamination, as well as the role of leptospires as a pathogen in cats, are likely underestimated.
authors.affiliation: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases. Hartmann@uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Egberink
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pennisi
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lloret
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Addie
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belák
authors.forename: Corine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boucraut-Baralon
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frymus
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gruffydd-Jones
authors.forename: Margaret J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hosie
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marsilio
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Möstl
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiry
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Truyen
authors.forename: Marian C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Horzinek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002415:Cats; D007919:Leptospira / Q000145:classification*; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*